DoD STEM Community College Consortium

The Department of Defense (DoD) National Defense Education Program (NDEP) is seeking to strategically fund science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at 2-year institutions and Community Colleges (2YI/CCs) through a consortium approach. The DoD STEM vision is a diverse and sustainable STEM talent pool ready to serve our Nation and extend the Department's competitive edge. This NOFO aims to enhance the STEM workforce through regional consortia which will develop and encourage STEM ecosystems between 2YI/CCs and 4-Year Institutions (4YIs), industry, local education agencies, and others in STEM education. Each regional DoD STEM Community College Consortium should collaboratively work with members of their geographical area to promote partnerships that enhance STEM education at 2YI/CCs, while aligning to the DoD STEM mission to "inspire, cultivate, and develop exceptional STEM talent through a continuum of opportunities to enrich our current and future DoD workforce poised to tackle evolving defense technological challenges". These collaborations should foster the development of 2YI/CC STEM ecosystems that have the ability to implement far-reaching sustainable programs, specifically those that promote the completion of certificate training programs aligned to DoD priority areas; increase transitions from 2YI/CC programs to STEM degrees from 4YIs; and meet the vision, roles, and goals outlined in the DoD STEM Strategic Plan.

Responses to this funding opportunity should focus on either or both of the below goals:

(1) Promote and support the completion of technical training and certificate programs that strengthen the DoD and Defense Industrial Base (DIB) science, technology, and manufacturing workforce.

(2) Develop, support, and increase the transition of students, especially those from underserved and underrepresented populations to include veterans and their spouses, from 2-year institutions and/or Community College STEM programs to STEM degrees at 4-year institutions.